Interrupter mechanism for ignition systems



A. ROSNER INTERRUPTER MECHANISM FOR IGNITION SYSTEMS Filed Jan. 28,

0 M 5 R 5 w??? w/ m V P fl II L ATTOR NEY Patented Nov. 11, 1924.

UNITED srATss rAieNr ori ice.

ADOLPH ROSNER, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN BOSCH MAGNETO CORPORATION, OF SPRINGFIELD, IYIASSACHUSETTS, s- CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

INTERRUPTER MECHANISM FOR IGNITION SYSTEMS.

Application filed January 28, 1922. Serial No. 532,407.

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADoLPH RosNEn, a

citizen of the United States, residing at 4 Ventura' Street, Springfield, in the county of Hampden, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Interrupter Mechanism for Ignh tion Systems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

. The present invention relates to ignition systems for internal combustion engines, and particularly to the'interrupter mechanism thereof.

Heretofore, where more than one interrupter lever =was' used in an interrupter mechanism, the levers were in continual operation and alternately deflected, and were usually employed with engines having a large number of cylinders, so that'the duty imposed upon the interrupter'levers could be divided among the levers. Whether or not using more than one interrupter lever in prior systems, the interrupter contacts usually became pitted so that the interrupter was rendered inoperative, or but poorly 0perative. There was no provision .made for quickly shifting to another set of contacts when one set became pitted, so that the proper operation of the system could continue. In one of my previous constructions, the interrupter mechanism had a pair of levers located on opposite sides of the interrupter cam, either one of which levers could be thrown out of operative engagement by a rotatable cam ring carrying two cams, one or the other of which could be moved into engagement with one or the other interrupter lever to hold it out of operative engagement with the interrupter cam.

vention, the contact carrying members, preferably a pair of levers, are located at-one side of the interrupter cam and have, together with the support for the interrupter mechanism, cooperative means movable to different positions to selectively hold any of the contact carrying members out of operative engagement with the interrupter while another cam carrying member is in operative engagement with Such 0am.

I Whether or not the contact carrying memmember, such as a spring-pressed ball, movable into 'such depression or groove. The contact. carrying members or levers may have projecting portions, preferably spring portions, .with which the interfering member or lever selectively engages to hold one or the other of the contact carrying levers out of operative engagement with the interrupter cam, and hence, selectively render either pair of contacts operative or inoperative, as desired.

" By such structure, should the pair of contacts. operating with the interrupter cam fail to give proper ignition or be'pitted so as to operate poorly, the pivoted lever may be readily and quickly shifted to throw such contacts'out of operation and, at the same time, throw the other pair of contacts into operation, thus making it possible to continue the operation of the engine. Moreover, the present invention is simpler in structure and more convenient to operate than my previous device.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating my invention in application, as an example, to a battery ignition type of timer-distributor arranged to be driven by a rotating part of a gas engine:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section'of a timer- In accordance with'this part of my indistributor embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same with the distributor cap removed and the interrupter cam shown in section; Fig. 3 is a View partly in side elevation and partly in section with means for throwing either interrupter lever out of operation; Fig. 4 is a section view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 'the invention \is shown as applied to a battery ignition timer-distributor of the governor type having-a casing'l into which,

advancing and retarding the spark upon variation in engine speed. Above thegovernor mechanism is supported an interrupter housing 8 in the form of a cup slidably fitting .within the upper open end of, the casing 1.

Uponthe bottom wall of this "cup 8 is sup ported the interrupter mechanism which comprises a pair of interrupter levers 9 and 10, supported upon a pivot 11 fixed to the base of the cup 8. The interrupter-levers are formed of sheet metal and channelshaped in cross-section and carry fibre striker-blocks 12 and 13 adapted to engage with the surface of the rotating cam 4. The levers 9 and 10 are normally urged toward the cam 4 by springs 14 and 15 having an end of such springs fastened to such levers,

and the r other ends bearing against a head 16 of a binding post 17, the latter extending outwardly through the cup 8 and the casing 1 and being threaded to receive a button 18 adapted to fasten an end of a low tension lead to the binding post. The binding post is supported in a block 19 of insulating material fitting into a slot provided in the side of the frame 1. The ends of the levers 9.

' and 10 carry movable contacts 20 which may be of platinum or tungsten, and .on the bot-. tom of the cup 8 is supported a block 21 by which is carried two screws 22 each carrying at one of its ends a stationary contact 23 locatedopposite the movable contacts 20 carried bv the levers 9 and 10. The screws 22 areadjustable through the block 21 to vary the spark gaps between the contacts, and a lock nut 24, on each screw 22, acts to fix-the adjusted position with the screw, in a known manner.

The bottom of the cup 8 also supports a condenser 25 to which -is connected a terminal 26 hearing against the head 16 of'the binding post 17, the other side of the condenser being grounded through a binding post 27 fastened to the cup 8 and extending through the casing 1. This binding post carries a button 28 adapted to secure a grounded lead to the post.

The upper end of the casing 1 is 'surmounted by a distributor cap 29 which'can ries a set of high tension electrodes 30 to which high tension leads, leading to the spark plugs of the engine, may be connected, and a central electrode 31 to which may be connected a high tension lead from the spark coil. The central electrode 31 has a slidable brush 32 pressed downwardly by a spring 33 against a distributor insert 34 carried by the rotor 6. The end of the insert 34 is tapered, and, during its rotation, succe'ssively supplies high tension current tothe electrodes 30.

',Opposite the ends of the interrupter side wall of the casing 1 a lever 35 secured to a short shaft 36 by a cross p n 37 The shaft36 has a bearingsupported in a block 38 which fits into an opening '39 formed in the side of the casing 1. The

shaft 36 extends inwardly through an aperture formed'in the side wall of the cup 8 and has fixed wit a cross head 40'carrylevers. 9 and 10 is pivotally supported in the v ing pins 41 and 42 made from insulating material or fibre and located at the opposite ends of the head 40. The shaft 36 also has a a pair of adjacently located longitudinal depressions or gro'oves 43 and 44 with a sharp spring 47 bearing against a'ball48 conridge 45 therebetween. In the head 40 is provided a recess 46 in which is locateda 'stantly urged into oneof the grooves 43 and I 44, depending upon the angular position .of

the shaft '36 and the lever 35 with respect to recess 46.

of Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawing, that when the lever is shifted from one position to the other, the ridge 45 will pass beneath the ball 48, raising it and compressing the spring 47 until the other groove takes the position opposite the ball 48. The spring 47 will then act to press the ball 48 into this other groove, andowing to the'pressure of sure being, sufficient to prevent the accidentalthrowing of the lever out of position, but of insuflicieut pressure to prevent a manual shift of the lever. The-cross head 40 is located near the ends of the trip levers 9 and 10, and the pins 41 and 42 so located as to move against and engage with extensions 49 and 50, fastened to the ends of the interrupter levers 9 and 10, respectively. These extensions are of spring metal and somewhat resilient. The extensions 49 and 50 extend beyond the ends of the levers 9 and 10 and in the paths of the pins 41 and 42, so that when the lever 35 is shifted in oneposition, the pin 41 will press against the extension 49 and move it from the. position shown in full lines to that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 of the drawing, and when the lever 35 is shifted to its other position, the pin 41 will engage with and move the extension 50 from the position shown in dotted lines to that shown in full It will be apparent from the illustrations 4 .the ball in such groove, the'lever will be normally held in locked position, such pres lines in Fig; 4 of the drawing. In this way either interrupter lever 9 or 10 is moved, so that its striker block is no longer en- 4.1M"; interrupter for ignition systems comprising a cam, a support for the interrupter mechanism, contact carrying members gaged by the cam 4, and also 'the'pair of on said supportand movable by said cam,

- contacts.20.'and 23 of such lever are separated a greater distance than the usual spark gap distance. At the .same time the other interrupter lever is inoperative engagement with the cam and not then affected by the shiftingimeans shown in Figs. 3, and-5 of the drawing.

Having thus described my invention what Iclaimis: i l f j 1. An interrupter for ignition systems comprising a cam', a suppoit for the interrupter mechanism, contact-carrying ,menr bers-on said support at one. side of said cam and movable by, said cam, springs operable to normally hold said contact carrying members against said cam, sets of relatively movable contacts carried by said support and said contact carrying members, said contact carrying: members and said support hav'- ing cooperative me'ans movable to' different positions for'selectively holding any of said contact carnying members out of operative engagement with said cam, while another of said contactfcarrying members is' in operative engagement. with saidcam.

2. An interrupter for ignition systems comprising a cam, a support for the interrupter mechanism, contact carrying members on said sup art at one side of said cam and movable y said cam, springs oper- V able to normally hold said'contact. carrying members against said cams, sets of relatively movable contacts carried by said support and". said contact carrying members, said contact carrying members and said support 40 having cooperative means movable to different positions for selectively holding any of,

said contact carrying members out of opera tive engagement with said cam, while' another of said contact carrying members is. in operative engagement with said cam, and means to normally look said movable means in selected position,

3. An interrupter for ignition systems comprising a cam a support for the inter-.

sflxrupter mechanism, contact carrying members on said support and movable by said cam, springs operable tonormally hold said contact carrying membersagainst said cam, sets of relatively movable contacts carried by {)5 said support and said contact carrying members, said contact carrying members and .said support having cooperative means movable to diiferent positions for selectively holdingany of saidcontact carrying members out of operative engagement with said cam, while another of said contact carrying members is in operative engagement with said cam, and springresscd means to nor- .mally lock said mova le means in selected position.

of said depressions to normally look said springsoperable to normally hold said conl0 tact carrying members against said cam, sets of relatively movable contacts carried by said support and said contact carrying members, said contact carrying members and said-support having cooperative means movable to diiferent positions for selectively holding any of said contact carrying members outof operative engagement with said .cam, while another of said contact carrying members is in .operativeengagement with said cam, said movable means comprising a" leverpivotally mounted on said support and movable into any ot said different positions.

{5. An interrupter 'for ignition systems comprising a cam, a support for the interrupter mechanism, contact carrying mem bers on said support and movable by said cam, springs operable to normallyliold said contactcarrying members against said cam, sets of relatively movable contacts carried 0 by said support and said contactwcarrying .members, said contact carrying members and said support havingcooperative means'movable to different positions for selectively holding any of said contact carrying members out of operative engagement with said cam, while another of said contact carrying members'is in operative engagement with said cam, said movable means comprising a lever pivotally mounted on said support and mov- 9 able into any of said different positions, said lever having means to normally look said lever in selected position. p

6. An interrupter 'for ignition systems comprising a cam, a support for the inter rupter mechanism, contact carrying members on said support and movable by said cam, springs operable to normally hold said contact carrying members against said cam. sets of relatively movable contacts carried by said support and said contact carrying members, said contact carrying'members and 'said supp'orthaving cooperative means movable to different positions for selectively holding any of said contact carrying meinbers out of operative engagement with said cam, while another of said contact carrying members 'is in operative.,engagementwith said cam, said movable means comprising a. lever pivotally mounted on said support and movable into any of said different positions, said lever being provided with depressions, a spring-pressed member movable into any lever inany selected position. 4

7, An interrupter for ignition systems comprising a cam, a-support for the interrupter mechanism, contact carrying 'members on said support and movable by said cam, springs operable to normally hold said contact carrying members against said cam, sets of relatively movable contacts carried .by said support and said contact carrying members, said contact carrying members and said support having cooperative means movable to different positions for selectively holding any of said contact carrying men'ibers out of operative engagement with said cam, wlnle'another of said contact carrying members 1s 1n operatn'e engagement with said cam, said movable means comprising a lever .pivotally mounted on said support and movable into any of said different positions,-

and said support Having cooperative means movable to different positions for selectively holding any of said contact carrying members out of operative engagement with said cam, while another of said contact carrying members is in operative engagement with said cam, said movable means having co- I operative means normally locking said movable means in any selected position.

9. An interrupter for ignition systems comprising a cam, a support for the interrupter mechanism, contact carrying members on said support and movable by said cam, springs operable to normally hold said contact carrying members against said cam, sets. of relatively movable contacts carried by said support and said contact carrying members, said contact carrying members and (ill said support having cooperative means movable to different positions for selectively holding any of said contact carrying members out of operative engagement with said cam, while another of saidcontact carrying members is in operative engagement with said cam, said movable means having cooperative grooves and'a spring-pressed ball normally locking said movable means in any selected position. v

10. An interrupter for ignition systems comprising acam, a support for the interrupter mechanism, interrupter levers on said support and movable by said cam, pairs of relatively movable contacts carried by said support and said levers, said levers and said support having cooperative means movable to different positions for selectively rendering any of said pairs of contacts operable, while rendering the other pairs of said contacts inoperable.

11. An interrupter for ignition systems comprising a cam, a support for the interrupter mechanism, contact carrying members on said support at one side of said cam, and movable by said cam, springs operable to normally hold said contact carrying members against said cam, pairs of relatively movable contacts carried by said support and said contact carrying members, an

interfering member on said support and movable to different ositions for selectively rendering any of said pairs of contacts operable, while renderingthe other pairs of said contacts inoperable. v

12. An interrupter for ignition systems comprising a cam, a support for the inter rupter mechanism, contact carrying members on said support and movable by said cam, springs operable to normally hold said contact carrying members against said cam,

pairs of relatively movable contacts carried 1 contact carrying members against said cam,

sets of relatively movable contacts carried by said support and said contact carrying members, said contact carrying members being provided with spring projecting port1ons,- and an interfering member on sald support and movable to dlfferent positions to selectively engage with said spring porjions to render any .of said pairs of contacts operable, while rendering the other pairs ofsaid contacts inoperable.

14. In a distributor having a casing, a pair of alternative switch arms within said casing, and means for selectively adjusting said arms into or out of positions of use from the exterior of said casing.

15. In a distributor, a cam shaft. alternative ignition switch elements engageable with said cam shaft, and a common'means for establishing one of said elements in operative engagement with said shaft and disengaging the other element therefrom.

16. In a distributor having a-casing, a pair of alternative switch arms within said casing for controllin" the ignition circuit,a rock shaft mounted 1n the wall of said casing, a handle carried by said shaft ext( riorly of said casing and a head carried by said rock shaft within the casing engageable selectively with said switch arms to raise either of the same from operative position of disuse, said means having limitposit-ion. ing positions in which the respective switch 17, A distributor comprising a pair of arms areactedu on, and a spring detent for switch arms for alternatively controlling the maintaining sai limiting positions. 5 ignition circuit, springs urging said arms to a In testimony whereof l aifix my signatheir circuit controlling positions, "a comture. mon means for shifting either arm to a ADOLPH ROSNER. 

